Educational game



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SAISNSiJO May 22, 1928.

G. R. WYLIE ET AL EDUCATIONAL GAME Filed Feb. l5, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 1ENT() RS.

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May 22, 1928.

G. R. WYLIE ET AL EDUCATIONAL GAME Filed Feb. l5, 1924 G GGG c G6 G 6 GG G 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 22, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,670,703l PATENT OFFICE.

GARVIN R. WYLIE, OF WASHINGTON, AND JOHN A. HARRISON, F PARNASSUS,PENNSYLVANIA.

EDUCATIONAL GAME.

Application led February This invention relates to an improvededucational appara-tus and parlor game, being a copending application tothat filed by us February 26, 1923, Serial No. 621,201.

The principal objects of this invention are to provide an attractive andinteresting parlor football game and a Ineans of giving instruction inthe art of offensive and defensive football strategy, and to teach theplayers of the game the rules and fundamental principles that govern theplay in an actual football game.

The invention consists of a table or board of flat box-likeconstruction, upon which is printed the representation of a bootballfield, a means of indicating the division ofthe football. field intozones of defensive play, with a ball adapted to be moved in thedirection of the lenofth and breadth of said field and a movable slideupon which is printed the results of plays. An indicating device issecured to this slide that enables the offensive player to select theplay he desires to make. There are .shieldsso placed and mounted, thatthe intended play by the offensive player is concealed from thedefensive player. An indicator, to be operated by the defensive player,is so constructed and so mounted that it indicates both the selecteddefense of the defensive player and the result of the combined offensiveand defensive play. A means of indicatingvthe formation of the offensiveteam, (as in drawings, or to indicate formation of defensive team,either or both)` together with such features that go to make up a deviceupon which a complete game of football may be played, will behereinafter described.

The game of'bootball as played in schools and colleges is governed by aset of rules which are called official. The purpose is to provide anapparatus that will permit the playing of a game of foot ball by two ormore persons, the game being governed by these official rules.

Provision is made for any and all of the various plays that occur in anactual game of football, together with a means of recording the score,playing time, number of downs, and distance to be gained for first down.

'Ihe arrangement of the several parts of this game, as indicated in thedrawings, may be changed or modified. Changes in detail may be madetogether with the use of other 15, 1924. serial No. 692,961.

letters, symbols, numbers in the indication of formations, plays andresults of plays. In fact, the game is designed with the substitution ofother formations, plays and results in view, in order that it may be ofmuch use and broad in its application for the teaching of football.

Slide 32, Figure 1, might well be a pivoted member, turned or moved inan arc, or a disk, capable of being turned and stopped at desiredpositions, or a, cylindrical member, or any other shape. This changewould in no way be a departure from the spirit of the invention.

Figure 1, in the accompanying drawings, is a plan view of our improvedfootball game, showing arrangement of parts and their location.

Figure 2, is a side elevation of the apparatus, partly broken away toshow detail of construction and relative position of parts.

Figure 3, is an end sectional elevation of the same.

Figure 4, is a perspective view of a portion of the shield partly brokenaway to show play indicating scale (used by offensive player), showingthe position of the slide in reference to other elements.

Figure 5, is a plan View in detail of play indicating scale used byoffensive player, the shield being removed.

Figure 5', is an end sectional elevation of the same.

Figure 6, is a plan view of a portion of the slide, showing location andarrangement in part of the playing results and the indicating device bywhich the slide is moved.

Figure 7, is an end elevation, and

Figure 8, is a side elevation of the same.

To put our invention into practical form We first provide a frame havingtherein inclosed a representation of a football field and severalmovable and operative parts. This table may be of any suitable size andconstruction best adapted to the purpose. The playing field comprises aprinted representation of a foot-ball field 7, properly spaced, withgoal posts 10-10, at either end, and having zones 11-11, and 11, incolors, white, yellow, and red, paralleling each side. A fiexible cord9, extends from end to end of the field 7, and carries a football 8,slidably mounted thereon, said cord being attached to two lateral cords16, which are projected over pulleys 15, to a sha-ft mounted beneath theplaying field, and the said shaft fitted at either end with hand knobs14, which, when revolved, will carry the cord 9, and ball 8, laterallyor across the football field 7.

Arranged beneath the playing field, 7, capable of being moved laterallyor 1n the. d1- rection of the length of the table, is a slidable member32, (see Fig. 6), having printed thereon, a separate set or series ofletters and symbols, one for each side of the table. These letters orsymbols may be read through openings 24, andare separated, the one fromthe other, by lines and arcs ofcircles, the heavy lines separating andindicating different plays and the letters o posite said plays indicatethe colors use to identify the zones in which play is made, as l'V-Y-R\V-R. lV. Y-etc. indicate white; yellow; red and white; red, white, andyellow, etc. Attached to this slide is a finger piece 30, which projectsupward through a slot formed in the floor and always within reach of theoffensive player, he

' being the only one using the slide. The

openings 24, above mentioned, are formed in the arc of a circle, and areeach provided with a pivoted double pointer, the one end indicating theresults of plays on the sliding member 32, and the other end 22, thechoice of defense, the latter end projecting upward through the floorand within reach of the player.

Located between the openings 24, are two printed scales 31, representingthe choice of plays, any one of which may be selected and indicated bythe offensive player, by means of the finger piece 30, by which theslidable member is operated. It will be no'- ticed (see Figs. 1, 2, and3) that one of these scales is concealed by hinged members, mounted onbearings 33, and formed in two parts 28, held at right angles, the onewith the other, by means of an ordinary hook 35, and staple 36. Thishinged member 28, may be turned over to expose the second scale when thefootball changes hands, or the same may be folded flat when theapparatus is not in use.

It will be observed that the formations printed upon each section 28,and numbered 1 to 5, inclusive, and in the position shown at Figures 1to 4, are out of the view of the offensive player. Therefore it isnecessary that the players must memorize these formations. The players,as the game progresses, keep record of the number of downs by means ofthe pointer 18 and schedule 17, and in the same manner a record is keptof the n'umber of points scored by the pointer 20, and dial 19. The 50yard line of the football field 7, is subdivided to enable the lateralmovement of the ball to be measured. A ten yard indicator 13, isarranged to slide along a fixed wire 11,

and may be moved at will as the game progresses. The diagonal dottedlines 38, at each angle of the football field indicates zones from whichit is impossible to kick field goals.

The game is played by two persons, one at either side of the playingboard. The player who h'as possession of the ball is designated as theoffensive player and the other as the defensive player.

In playing the game, aside from the actual physical encounter, theoffensive player must do everything that a quarter-back would berequired to do in directing offensive team play. The defensive playermust devise means by diagnosing offensive plays, to prevent theoffensive player from gaining ground, just as though he were directingthe defense in an actual game.

Each player has at his command on the offense, an offense of equal powerand on the defense, a defense capable of stopping any offensive play.The success of either player will depend entirely upon his knowledge offootball, his ability to use advantageously the means at his disposal,and his ability to outgeneral his opponent on both offense and defense.

Years of experience and observation in football are embodied in thisgame and govern the results of plays. This experience is put in a formthat will entertain and teach the player the very thing that can only belearned through years of experience as a player participating in actualgames.

By playing this game, knowledge is acquired of rules governing the play,and of football formations, both in remembering them by numbers (as doesa quarter-back), in learning When and where to use each formation,together with the plays that are most successful from them in certainparts of the field, under certain conditions and against 'differenttypes of defensive play; thus teaching alertness, sure thinking, etc.,and providing excellent practice in diagnos ing football plays.

To play the game.

The two players (hereafter designated as A and B) are seated on oppositesides of the game board 6, as shown in Figure 1. They face each otherand toss a coin, pr in some other manner suitable to them, determine whoshall have the privilege of kicking off or of receiving the kick-off.

Player A wins the choice and elects to kick off the ball to player B.The ball 8, is moved to the central line of the field 7 by turning knob14, and slid on wire 9, to the forty yard line of player A. Player Awith his fore-finger shoots ball 8, along wire 9, in the direction ofthe opponents goal line, endeavoring to have the ball come to rest asnear the goal line as possible without going over the line. In case theball does go as far as the goal line it counts as a touchback and B isgiven possession of the ball on his twenty yard line. In this instancethe ball comes to rest on Bs thirty yard line. It is now Bs ball, firstdown on his own thirty yard line.

The ten yard indicator 13, is moved until one end rests on Bs thirtyyard line and the other end rests on the fort yard line. This indicator13, measures an indicates the ten yards that B must gain in fourconsecutive downs or less to retain possession of the ball, i. e., makefirst down.

Shields 25, are moved to conceal openings 24. Shield 28 is raised intoplaying position by fastening hook 35, in eyelet 36, and tilted to theposition exposing playing scale 31, and indicator 30, for use of B, atthe same time concealing play scale and indicator from A. Shield 28,remains in this` position as long as B has possession of the ball. lVhenA has possession of the ball the shield 28, is tipped to the other sideexposing playing scale to A.

Player B decides to run left end from formation 1. He moves indicator30,. to space marked 1 on playing scale 31, and small sub-divisionmarked L. E. (left end). B then removes his hand from indicator 30, andcalls out formation one. A glances at shield 28, identifies formationone as the for# mation B intends 'to use. He must then quickly decidewhat play B intends to make, knowing from the position of the players asindicated in formation that B can either punt, forward pass, run eitherend, or make a quick play through center. A does not fear a punt, he isin doubt however about what B will do. To guard against a long gain heplays back to defend against a possible forward pass. A sets indicator22, at F. P. on scale 21. Both players having removed their hands fromthe indicators, player A moves his slide 25, exposing 24. Indicator 23,is found to indicate a certain result. In this case the particular s aceis divided into two sub-spaces, one ofw ich is yellow and the other iswhite. In the yel- ,low is the numeral 2. In the white the 50- numeral3. The yardage gained by B is determined by the location of the ball,when the play was made, in respect to the division of the field into itszones of defense. The color of the zone indicating device 11, on theright of the advancing ball 8, determines the color in 24, of the spacein which to read the result of the play. This white space is read,indicating that B made a gain of three yards at his left end. B movesthe ball 8, forward a distance of three yards and to his left twospaces. Spaces are indicated on the fifty yard line.

Player A replaces shield 25, over opening 24. Player elects a playthrough center, using formation four. B moves indicator 30, along scale31, to space four, division C, (center), calling out formation four.Player A properly diagnoses the play as a play through center, movesindicator 22, to division of 21, (marked C, center). On moving shield25, the result of the play is indicated by 23, as 2, indicating that Blost two yards. Ball 8, is moved two yards backward by B and shield 25,placed over opening 24. It is now third down and nine yards to gain.

Player B decides to punt and moves indicator 30, to one of the untdivisions in section one of scale 31. B then calls out formation one. Amoves indicator 22, to division K of scale 21, moves 25, and finds thatindicator 23, shows that the ball was downed at a distance ofthirty-five yards from its position at the beginning of the play.

It is now As ball, first down, on his own thirty-four yard line. Aelects to use a trick play from formation four, and run right end.(Trick play will be explained hereinafter.) Player B is deceived.thinking play will be at the center, sets indicator 22, at C. When 25 ismoved it is found that A gained 12 yards at right end, making first downon As forty-six yard line. A moves the ball 8, forward a distance oftwelve yards and to the right two spaces, as indicated on fifty yardline.

A decides to try a short forward pass from formation one, movesindicator 30, on play scale 31, to one of forward pass subdivisions offormation one and calls out formation one. B diagnoses the play andmoves indicator 22, to F. P. on scale 21. On moving 25, it is found thatthe forward pass was incomplete. A then makes a play at center fromformation one. B again defends against forward pass. A gains eight yardsat center as a result. Third down and two yards to go. A elects to try aforward pass from formation one. B falls into the trap and plays todefend against another play at center. Player A succeeds in completing athirty yard forward pass, making it first down on Bs sixteen yard line.Using formation two, A gains three yards at center, B expecting a playat right tackle. The ball 8, is now within the fifteen yard line, andindicator 11, indicates that figures shown in yellow spaces of 24, willnow represent gains or losses by A. A again endeavors to play centerfrom formation one. B diagnoses the play and A loses four yards as aresult. A again calls formation one, endeavoring to forward pass. Bagain diagnoses the play and the forward pass is incomplete. Fourth downand eleven yards to gain. A decides to try for a field. goal, usingformation one. The play is obvious to B. B defends against kick and inthis instance the try results in a touchback. B is given possession ofthe ball 8, on his own twenty yard line.

The above show the possibilities of the game. Player B was led into atrap by A who almost scored on a long forward pass. Player A then usespoor judgment in choice of plays and formations when within the fifteenyard line and as a result failed to score.

A book of rules explaining details of play will be furnished with eachgame. A time limit is set for the playing of the game and a third playermay act as referee.

The ten yard indicator 13, is moved as each first down is made; recordis kept of the number of downs 1T, and score 19.

The fifty yard line is divided into spaces in a lateral direction, inorder that the lateral movement of the ball 8, may be measured. An endrun moves the ball 8, two spaces, a tackle play one space and a forwardpass one space, as indicated on 31, or in the direction of' the mostdistant side line of the football field.

On the slide or playing element 32, defensive zones are indicated eitherin colors corresponding to indicated zones 11, 11', 11, of playing fieldor in some other manner that will enable the player to identify theproper results of a play when made in different parts of the footballfield 7.

In making a forward pass from a certain formation, see Fig. 5, scale 31,four spaces are available for use. The results from the use of thesedifferent spaces'vary and represent results that might be expected fromforward passes of various kinds. Some result in long gains, some inshort gains. If anticipated by the defense, some are incomplete and someare intercepted.

In making kicks the same choice of one of several spaces on scale 31, ispermitted.

From format-ion four, trick or fake plays can be made, including atriple pass, resulting in a right end run, a double pass resulting in aforward pass directed right or left as desired. A trick or fake play tosucceed must be a. surprise.

Two divisions on scale 31. are allotted to formation four. The divisionat the end, see Figure 5, the one used for ordinary play. The one nearthe center is used for the fake plays. The defensive player can, bybeing alert and watching the movements of the offensive player in thepositioning of indicator 30, surely tell which type of play will be madefrom formation four. Just as in a real game, attention to details willoften enable a defensive player to anticipate the unusual.

A special division on defensive scale 21, is alloted to defend againstthis false play and serves to make its use hazardous for the offensiveplayer, if the play is anticipated by the defensive player.

At the four corners of the football field 7 are dotted lines 38, thatmark off corner portions of the football field, from which it is notpermitted that field goals be attempted.

Field goals are made with varying degrees of success from two indicatedzones on field 7, namely zero yard to fifteen yard line and fifteen yardto thirty yard line.

Punts are not made within the opponents fifteen yard line. There is aspecial zone shown and indicated on one half of the width of 11. thatapplies alone to results of forward passes and of punts. It extends fromthe zero yard to the twenty yard line of the player in possession of theball. It represents a danger zone for an offensive team. Special caremust be exercised and no chances taken either in blocked punts on fourthdown or intercepted forward passes.

All plays made in football can be represented by this game device. Bysubstituting for scale 31. shield 28, and slide 32. any style offootball play can be represented. Play between evenly matched teams orunevenly matched teams, or teams using differi ent styles of play. Thismakes the game of wide application and of great value in teachingfootball principles to players.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. 1n a game, a. representation of a football field, a ball adapted tooperate over said field in four directions, and a movable member whichin its various selected positions indicates selected plays, and theresults of various selected plays, or various selected results of thesame selected play, the position of which member is determined by theoffensive player.

2. In a game, a representation of a football field, a ball adapted tooperate over said field in four directions, and a movable member whichin its various positions` any of which are determined by the defensiveplayer indicates the selected defensive play and result of offensiveplay as adected by said defensive play.

3. In a game` a representation of a football field, a ball adapted tooperate over said field in four directions, and a means that concealsthe selected defensive play from the offensive player and the result ofsaid play from both offensive and defensive players, until the play iscompleted.

4. In a game, a representation of a football field, a ball adapted tooperate over said field in four directions, and a means representingteam formations, offensive and defensive, in such form as will indicateto the players the formation of the offensive and defensive team foreach play made.

In a game, a representation of a football field, a ball adapted tooperate over said field in four direct-ions, and a reversible shieldhaving printed formations thereon,

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so positioned, that said formations are in a proper relation to theplaying field and t0 the players.

6. In a game, a representation of a foot- 5 ball field, a ball adaptedto operate over said field in four directions, and a defensive scalerepresenting the defensive team arranged in a manner to oppose, in therelation of the right to the left and the left to the right, theopposing offensive team forl0 mations, said formations being in a properrelation to the indicated playing field and to the players.

GARVIN R. vWYLIE. JOHN A. HARRISON.

